Mount Vernon Fire Station Breaks Ground With $6.3M Bid

Jefferson Fire Protection District has broken ground on a new fire station at 914 Wescott St. in Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois, with Johannes Construction awarded a low bid of roughly $6.3 million. The project replaces the district's existing Station #1 at a nearby site and is expected to take about a year to complete.

In its October 13, 2026, coverage, the Morning Sentinel reports that the district held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday evening. The new station will provide dedicated apparatus access, decontamination areas and separation between operational and living spaces.

Key Project Facts

• Project type: New fire station replacing Jefferson Fire Protection District Station #1.
• Location: 914 Wescott St., at Ninth Street and Wescott Avenue, Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois.
• Construction bid: Approximately $6.3 million; officials said the total project cost could increase with work orders and other construction factors.
• Owner: Jefferson Fire Protection District.
• Design team: Baysinger Architects.
• General contractor: Johannes Construction.
• Stage: Ground broken; construction underway as of October 2026.
• Expected construction duration: About one year.
• Scope: Apparatus bay, decontamination areas, additional sleeping quarters, offices and a training room.

$6.3 Million Construction Bid Within Broader Bond Authorization

Jefferson Fire Protection District awarded Johannes Construction the low bid of roughly $6.3 million to build the new station. District officials cautioned that work orders and other construction factors could push the total project cost higher.

The construction award follows voter approval in March 2026 of an $8.9 million general obligation bond authorization. That authorization covers acquiring real estate and constructing, equipping and furnishing a new fire station and training facility.

For contractors and suppliers, the distinction matters: the $6.3 million figure is the reported station construction bid, while the $8.9 million authorization covers a broader set of project expenditures.

Apparatus Access, Decontamination and Sleeping Quarters

The new building will replace Station #1 at 1600 S. 10th St., the district's primary station, which currently houses roughly 12 apparatus. The replacement is planned for a nearby site rather than as a renovation of the existing building.

Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Clinton described a station layout with more direct vehicle access and dedicated spaces for firefighters returning from calls. Planned features include:

• An apparatus bay with more than two doors, allowing each fire truck its own door access.
• Areas where firefighters can decontaminate before entering clean station spaces.
• Separation between operational areas and clean living spaces.
• Additional sleeping quarters to accommodate more personnel.
• Offices and a training room.

The existing station was built in 1945 by the Dare Motor Company as a car dealership. The district moved into the building in the early 1960s and has used it for more than 60 years.

Reported building problems include roof leaks, water entering the engine bay and ongoing sewer-line issues. The current layout also lacks separation between gear storage, living quarters and kitchen areas—an issue the replacement station is intended to address.

Construction Considerations for the Station Fit-Out

The combination of apparatus space, decontamination areas and sleeping quarters makes coordination between operational and occupied spaces a central consideration. Contractors should pay particular attention to the interfaces between those areas when reviewing applicable drawings and specifications.

Dedicated truck-door access also makes door systems and their interfaces with the building envelope relevant to the construction scope. Interior work must accommodate the distinct functions of offices, sleeping quarters and the training room rather than a single uniform occupancy layout.

These scope elements provide a basis for evaluating relevant supply and installation capabilities. They do not establish that any particular subcontract package remains open.

Construction Expected to Take About One Year

With construction underway in October 2026, Clinton said the project would likely take about a year to complete. That duration is an estimate rather than a fixed completion commitment.

Johannes Construction is already the awarded builder, making this an active construction project rather than an upcoming general contractor bid opportunity. Subcontractors and suppliers evaluating the station should focus on the status of relevant later-stage packages and their delivery requirements.

Construction Trades Involved

The project has entered early construction following groundbreaking, so early site and structural packages should be treated as committed rather than prospective bidding opportunities.

Later-stage work that could potentially remain available, subject to procurement status, includes:

• Mechanical and HVAC systems.
• Plumbing.
• Electrical systems.
• Fire protection.
• Roofing.
• Glazing.
• Insulation.
• Drywall.
• Flooring.
• Painting.
• Doors and hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new Jefferson Fire Protection District station located?

The new station is located at 914 Wescott St., at Ninth Street and Wescott Avenue in Mount Vernon, Illinois. It will replace Station #1 at 1600 S. 10th St.

Who is building the new fire station?

Jefferson Fire Protection District awarded Johannes Construction a low bid of roughly $6.3 million to build the station. Baysinger Architects is part of the project team.

How long is construction expected to take?

At the October 2026 groundbreaking, Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Clinton said construction would likely take about one year.

For contractors and suppliers, the Mount Vernon station is an active institutional build with apparatus-access requirements and distinct operational, decontamination and living spaces. The awarded construction contract and anticipated one-year duration make later-stage procurement status the key consideration when assessing whether to pursue work.

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